Community & Economic Development — business licensing
Find the local office for a business license or business tax certificate. Check the business activity and place covered by each service.[1]
Source checked October 16, 2026[1]www.countyofmerced.com
Opens this office’s own website. CountyWiki does not process applications, take payments or provide personal records.
Contact details & office locations ↓Online services & information
These links were found on official source pages. Each service is handled by the office.
Check local land-use approvals and apply through the county Licensing & Permitting Portal. Renewals, ownership changes and location changes have different requirements.
Service area: Businesses physically located and/or conducting business in unincorporated Merced County. [3]
Official county application portal. Staff review land use and any additional agency approvals before issuing the license.
Service area: County business-license applications for businesses located or operating in the unincorporated area. [5]
Create a portal account and link the current license using its User ID PIN. Ask staff for the PIN if it is missing.
Service area: Renewal of county licenses for businesses located or operating in unincorporated Merced County. [7]
Report changes through the official county portal. Ownership or address changes may require closure and a new license; check with licensing staff.
Service area: Changes to county licenses for businesses located or operating in unincorporated Merced County. [11]
Before you start
- Eligibility & access
- A change of address or ownership requires a new application under the county’s posted instructions. [12]
Fees
Fees are quoted only when a source document supports the amount and conditions.
Check the official website for its current fee schedule. No fee should be assumed to be free.
Forms & documents
Official forms and document pages for this office’s services.
Sources & last checked1 source page · 16 citations
Sources were checked by an AI-assisted research process. A checked website does not mean every service or fee on it has been reviewed.
- [1] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
If license is not renewed within 60 days of the expiration date the license will expire and a NEW application will have to be processed through the Community & Economic Development Department.
- [2] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
All businesses either physically located and/or conducting business within the unincorporated areas of Merced County must apply for and obtain a Merced County Business License. Business license applications may be submitted by visiting the Licensing & Permitting Portal.
- [3] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
All businesses either physically located and/or conducting business within the unincorporated areas of Merced County must apply for and obtain a Merced County Business License. Business license applications may be submitted by visiting the Licensing & Permitting Portal.
- [4] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Apply online using the county's Licensing & Permitting Portal.
- [5] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
All businesses either physically located and/or conducting business within the unincorporated areas of Merced County must apply for and obtain a Merced County Business License. Business license applications may be submitted by visiting the Licensing & Permitting Portal.
- [6] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Renewals will be processed by creating an account via the Licensing & Permitting Portal. Instructions for how to register for an account can found on the website.
- [7] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
All businesses either physically located and/or conducting business within the unincorporated areas of Merced County must apply for and obtain a Merced County Business License. Business license applications may be submitted by visiting the Licensing & Permitting Portal.
- [8] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
An annual business license fee is due on the anniversary date of your approved license.
- [9] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
If license is not renewed within 60 days of the expiration date the license will expire and a NEW application will have to be processed through the Community & Economic Development Department.
- [10] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
If there have been changes to your business license information that you need to update you may do so before it is time to renew. Please keep in mind that since Merced County Business Licenses are non-transferrable (Merced County Code Section 6.02.140), some changes may require the closure of your current business license and a new business license will be issued.
- [11] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
All businesses either physically located and/or conducting business within the unincorporated areas of Merced County must apply for and obtain a Merced County Business License. Business license applications may be submitted by visiting the Licensing & Permitting Portal.
- [12] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
A business license is NON‐TRANFERRABLE. It becomes void when a CHANGE OF ADDRESS or CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP occurs. Any change to address or ownership will be treated as a NEW application in which application procedure and fees will apply.
- [13] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
If you have a current/active business and do not have a PIN, you can contact Merced County Community and Economic Development at (209) 385-7654 to obtain it.
- [14] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Please contact Merced Community & Economic Development at businesslicense@countyofmerced.com or at (209) 385-7654 so that staff may determine if changes will require a new business license.
- [15] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
For additional information or assistance, you can visit us at 2222 M Street, 2nd floor, Merced, CA 95340. Business hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm.
- [16] Merced County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Merced County official website · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Business hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm.